Property Management News

With an increase of inner-city apartments in Melbourne now up for rent, there are more properties available than tenants looking to move. The Australian Financial Review reports that investors are now competing with other property owners to secure a tenant, causing rental prices to fall.

It is important to note that this data is not an accurate portrayal of the overall Melbourne rental market, however it has been reflective in some areas with respect to the apartment market. Fletchers Director & Company Property Manager, Andrew Paterson, reports that his property management team have continued to grow from strength to strength. In 2013, Fletchers experienced our greatest demand and achieved the highest prices for rental properties to date. Currently, our vacancy rate sits at a low 1.2 per cent compared to the industry average of 3.4 per cent and we are about to expand our team to deal with the high demand for Fletchers Property Management Services across Melbourne’s east especially with the opening of our newest office in Maroondah.

The key to maintaining a positively geared investment property is undoubtedly to develop a well thought-out property strategy. The most effective way to do this is to gain the advice to people who understand the property market and dynamics in the area you are looking to invest. Our dedicated team of Business Development Managers have an extensive knowledge base on the rental market and have access to independent information on average rents, property values, demographics and suburb reports.

If you are looking to invest in the property market or would just like to have a chat about the rental market, please contact our Property Management team today.

Fletchers are experts at Property Management. Our dedicated team of professionals understands and listens to the requirements of both investor and tenant.

The team are committed to building personal relationships to deliver the best results. We command an enviable reputation in the industry, due to our local knowledge and understanding of property investment.

With hundreds of residential properties under management, we know our business!

Pet registration fees would rise and tenants could pay a “pet bond” to keep cats and dogs at rental properties under a policy shake-up to be considered by the NSW state government.

The changes, designed to slash the number of dogs and cats destroyed at pounds each year, would also streamline pet registration and microchipping and crack down on “puppy farmers” who breed dogs in overcrowded conditions.

A companion animals taskforce chaired by the Charlestown MP, Andrew Cornwell, a veterinarian, has recommended measures to stamp out poor pet breeding and selling practices, and increase microchipping, desexing and registration of pets.

It found that “pet-unfriendly” rental properties and strata homes drive up dumping rates and severely inhibit animal adoption from pounds and shelters.

“In terms of renters, we think there is scope to create some sort of ‘pet bond’ [on top of] a standard property bond,” said Mr Cornwell.

“Some body corporates can also make pet ownership extremely difficult. There are many pets that make for a terrific companion animal in a strata environment, and there is no reason why you can’t have greater flexibility.”

The taskforce recommended an increase in cat and dog registration fees to fund animal management programs.